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Avilius |
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Shawy38
Champion Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 17382 |
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Posted: 05 Jul 2021 at 6:07pm |
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http://www.godolphin.com/TripleG1winnerAviliusretiresandjoinsLifetimeCareprogram
Triple G1 winner Avilius retires and joins Lifetime Care programA career thus far characterised by resilience, courage and determination has come to an end for Avilius, whose next chapter sees him honoured as a flagbearer for the Godolphin Lifetime Care program following the announcement by Godolphin of his retirement from racing. A horse of great promise in France where he won two of his seven starts, Avilius became one of the stars of his generation in Australia. He matured into a multiple Group One winner with the versatility to win at the supreme level over distances ranging from 1,600m to 2,400m. Avilius left the stable of his French trainer Andre Fabre in late 2017 at the end of a three-year-old year in which he had been matching strides with horses of the calibre of the four-time G1 winner Cracksman behind whom he finished second in the G2 Prix Niel at Chantilly. That was one of three Stakes placings in France for the son of Pivotal who had won his maiden at his second start and a Listed event at his third. "Andre Fabre had put his blood, sweat and tears into Avilius before he got to us, he had great form behind Cracksman over a mile-and-a-half and now we're starting to put our own polish on him,” said his new trainer James Cummings. The local conditions clearly suited Avilius who went on to win his first four starts on the bounce, among them the G3 Bart Cummings and one which earned its winner an automatic entry into the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup. In preparation for the Melbourne Cup, Avilius stepped out in the G1 WS Cox Plate where he ran respectably behind the Champion mare Winx. It was the form that Avilius displayed at his next preparation that confirmed his status as a superior racehorse. He returned the following February in the G3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield which was to become the first of four wins for the campaign that included victories on successive weekends in the Ranvet Stakes and the Tancred Stakes, both at G1 level. His Tancred performance drew a glowing endorsement from the man in the saddle, the champion jockey James McDonald. “He’s as good as you get,” McDonald said. “As soon as Winx retires, Avilius will be the best horse in Australia." Whether or not that prediction proved accurate is debatable, but Avilius certainly did his best, winning a third G1 title in the 2019 George Main Stakes the following spring. “This was a horse who gave us all he had,” said Cummings. “So, it is only right that he should bow out with dignity. He was running well and, as he did from day one, he went into every battle in good health and with great desire. “Horses like him never stop trying, so we have to know when to call time. “He was an exceptionally talented horse. He was versatile and extremely resilient. He will be greatly missed, but he will always have a very good home.” Avilius will let down before options for retraining or rehoming are considered under Godolphin’s Lifetime Care program. Racing and Bloodstock Manager, Jason Walsh emphasises the importance of Avilius becoming a flagbearer in the Godolphin Lifetime Care program. “He will now graduate as a flagbearer in the Godolphin Lifetime Care program which fundamentally illustrates our commitment to the highest standard of care throughout their lives,” Walsh said. “One of the key objectives of the flagbearer program is to utilise the profile of a horse like Avilius to help promote the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed in a range of post-racing endeavours. “A top-class horse of his calibre will continue to command attention and we look forward to exploring the particular equine pursuit that best suits his characteristics and desire”. |
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Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing
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jacko1
Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1801 |
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Well part of it is I think he's turned into a non-winner. He runs great races and as you say finishes thereabouts but never gets across the line first.
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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‘Was’ a good horse? Geez, short memories. He went close in two G1 races a few starts ago, finishing powerfully for 3rd in the Chipping Norton & the George Ryder beaten less than 0.5len on both occasions. He had excuses bleeding yesterday, but Avilius is still a very, very good race horse. I’m sure Godolphin vets will give him a thorough assessment to see whether we’ll see him again or whether he is retired. I mentioned earlier in the thread that rather than heading to 2000m races, he could be re-invented like Hartnell as a miler & stick to a light 3 or 4 start campaign |
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jacko1
Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1801 |
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Hope so. Was a top horse but can't see many more wins in him.
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Jamal
Champion Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Status: Offline Points: 8678 |
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I think perhaps retirement is on the cards.
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Australian racing is only good up to 1400m in terms of world standards when it comes to depth/quality in numbers
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Shawy38
Champion Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 17382 |
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Bled today, 3 month ban.
Might be it for him.
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Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing
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Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15476 |
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The newly minted WFA treble of the Hollindale-Doomben Cup-Q22 would be right up his alley.
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Probably right Shrunk.
Whilst my tab ticket is confetti, Avilius still did himself proud with a brave 5th. I do hope they find him something winnable in Qld winter.
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Shrunk in the Wash
Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2016 Status: Offline Points: 9890 |
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Ridden Too far back. Given no hope
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VOYAGER
Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 18736 |
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Best weighted horse in the race Lord!
Genuine group1 WFA horse and drops three kilos here. Conditions should be perfect and get a good run three wide with cover and should run on like Hartnell did when he won the Epsom.
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Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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I mentioned a few months ago that Avilius could be re-invented as a ‘Hartnell-style’ miler.
I’ll back my own judgement & have a go at the great horse on an each way basis today in the Doncaster Hcp. Finishing powerfully in both runs this time at WFA, if he gets a decent run in the straight I can’t see why he won’t be in the mix again today.
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Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15476 |
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There's also Queensland as an option, the Hollindale, Doomben Cup and the newly named Q22 (formerly the Brisbane Cup lead up at WFA) would all be up his alley.
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Tlazolteotl
Champion Joined: 02 Oct 2012 Location: Elephant Butte Status: Offline Points: 31416 |
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I agree that VE will probably miss the Tancred and with a bit of rain that's the race for Avilius.
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An honest politician is one who when he is bought will stay bought.
Simon Cameron |
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Maybe. On paper his 3200m record reads dreadful with 22nd in the 2018 Melb Cup & 22nd in the 2020 Melb Cup, distanced both times. But in 2018 he was severely hampered when Cliffsofmoher collapsed & in 2020 he should never have been running on a Good 3. My gut feeling is both VE & Colette may end up passing on the Tancred to concentrate on the QE. So maybe that’s his opportunity. Or could he be reinvented “Hartnell-style” as a miler and go to the Doncaster?
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Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15476 |
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Maybe he could go on a Sydney Cup path?
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Shrunk in the Wash
Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2016 Status: Offline Points: 9890 |
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He’s been rejuvenated, that’s for sure
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Super return by one of my old faves for 3rd in the Chipping Norton Stks. Just keeps running bravely season after season.
Not sure where he can jag that next win though, as he’s going to keep running into VE & Colette in the Rawson Stks, Tancred & QE. |
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Anyone who’s read this thread knows I’m an unabashed fan of Avilius. And I did back him in his very unlucky Caulfield Cup run on a Soft 7.
I was expecting him to be a late scratching when the track got upgraded to a Good 3. He’s been a good horse for Godolphin, so I’d expect them to be good to him. Two miles on a hard track with a heavy handicap weight is not the suitable recipe for success with Avilius. As I’d mentioned earlier in the thread, the Sandown Classic over 2400m at WFA is right in Avilius wheelhouse. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t save him for that? Anyway, I hope running him today hasn’t jeopardised his future racing career.
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VOYAGER
Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 18736 |
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I have heard a lot of people say that Shawy and so I went back last night and had a look at the run.
No doubt he was unlucky and should have finished closer, however Prince Of Arran did finish past him and I would assume POA will be in front of Avilius coming to the turn here, so I am having trouble seeing how he beats Prince of Arran home. |
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Remember, it might take intelligence to be smart , but it takes experience to be wise
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Shawy38
Champion Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 17382 |
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Have a had a little e/w bet on him
Really liked his closing run at Caulfield
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Had a place bet on him today.
Gee he was trucking into the race strongly before getting stuck behind Chapada & Finche when the gap between them closed. Not that he would have won but should have finished closer. Others thoughts in his run today? Will be interesting to see whether they press onto the Melb Cup or go to the Mackinnon Stks, or even the Sandown Classic.
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Bonfield
Champion Joined: 07 Nov 2013 Status: Offline Points: 10291 |
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Could surprise many with return to form on a wet track at Caulfield.
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djebel
Premium Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Status: Offline Points: 53960 |
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Colette would have bolted in.
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reductio ad absurdum
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horlicks
Champion Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Status: Offline Points: 8398 |
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James said yesterday that the probability of a rain affected track made it likely he would go Caulfield.
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Bit of a surprise to see him as an acceptor in the Caulfield Cup. He must be going well for James to consider this race.
Also accepted for the Craven Plate at Randwick, which is what i’d prefer for him. Then head to Melb for the Sandown Classic - 2400m at WFA is his go.
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Lord Hybrow
Champion Joined: 05 Jul 2015 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 6665 |
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Good again yesterday & tried hard but no match for Kolding.
He’s probably only a G2 horse these days (on dry tracks anyway) so the Craven Plate 2000m G2 is definately his go in Sydney. |
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Second Chance
Champion Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Status: Offline Points: 45702 |
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Not too many 4-5 horse BM90's/Listed races in Oz djebel.
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djebel
Premium Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Status: Offline Points: 53960 |
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At least he'd be up against group 2 horses rather than BM90 and listed level horses.
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reductio ad absurdum
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Second Chance
Champion Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Status: Offline Points: 45702 |
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Either that or pop over to the UK for a 4 or 5 horse Group 2 event.
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djebel
Premium Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Status: Offline Points: 53960 |
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I'd imagine he'll back up in the George Main in a fortnight.
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reductio ad absurdum
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